IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


'  ■.  '\^ 


1.0 


1.1 


11.25 


US 

m  m 

lit 


2.0 


1.4 


iiiy^ 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  MSSC 

(71«)  172-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historicai  IVIicroreproductions  /  institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


<\ 


> 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha  Instituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
oric^nal  copy  avaHabla  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographicaliy  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  images  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  signiticantiy  changa 
tha  uaual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackaid  balow. 


□ 


D 


D 


D 


D 


Colourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


r~~1   Covara  damaged/ 


Couvartura  endommagia 

Covara  raatorad  and/or  iaminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurte  at/cu  peilicuMa 


□   Cover  title  miaaing/ 
Le 


titre  de  couvarture  manque 


I      I   Coloured  mapa/ 


Cartea  g^ographiquaa  an  coulaur 


□   Colourad  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  couieur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

□   Coloured  platea  and/or  illuatrationa/ 
Pianchea  et/ou  illuatrationa  en  couieur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
RaliA  avac  d'autrea  documenta 

Tight  binding  may  cauae  ahadowa  or  diatortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  aarr6e  peut  cauaar  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
diatortion  la  long  de  la  marge  intArieure 

Blank  laavaa  added  during  reatoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  poaaible,  theaa 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  ae  peut  que  certainea  pagea  blanchea  ajouttea 
iora  d'une  reetauration  apparaiaaant  dana  le  texte, 
maia,  ioraque  cela  6tait  poaaible,  cea  pagea  n'ont 
pea  6x6  filmtea. 


Additional  commenta:/ 
Commantairea  aupplAmantairea; 


L'Inatitut  a  microfilm^  la  meilleur  exemplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  6X6  poaaible  de  ae  procurer.  Lea  ddtaila 
de  cet  exemplaira  qui  aont  paut-Atre  uniquaa  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dana  la  mAthoda  normala  de  fiimage 
aont  indiqute  ci-deaaoua. 


D 
D 

n 
0 
n 
0 
n 
n 

n 


Coloured  pagea/ 
Pagea  de  couieur 

Pagea  damaged/ 
Pagea  endommagtea 

Pagea  reatored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pagea  reataurtea  et/ou  peliicul^ea 

Pagea  diacoioured,  atainad  or  foxed/ 
Pagea  dAcolortea,  tachettea  ou  piqu6ea 

Pagea  detached/ 
Pagea  dAtachtea 

Showthrough/ 
TranaparencA 

Quality  of  print  variaa/ 
Quality  inAgaia  de  I'impreaaion 

includea  aupplementary  material/ 
Comprand  du  material  auppMmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  diaponible 

Pagea  wholly  or  partially  obacured  by  errata 
alipa,  tiaauea,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
enaura  tha  beat  poaaible  image/ 
Lea  pagea  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obacurciaa  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure. 
etc.,  ont  At^  film^ea  6  nouveau  de  fa9on  6 
obtanir  la  meilleure  image  poaaible. 


The 
tott 


The 
poai 
ofti 
film 


Oris 

begi 

the 

aion 

oth( 

first 

aion 

orii 


Thia  item  la  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  eat  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  Indiqu*  ci-deaaoua 

10X                           14X                            18X                           22X 

26X 

30X 

X 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

a2x 

The 
shal 
TINI 
whii 

IS/lap 
diff( 
antii 
begi 
right 
requ 
metl 


lire 

ddtails 
jes  du 
modifier 
|er  une 
filmage 


The  copy  filmed  liere  has  been  reproduced  thanlts 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library, 

Geological  Survey  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  iteeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


L'exemplaire  filmi  f ut  reproduit  grAce  d  la 
gAn^rositA  de: 

Bibliothdque, 

Ccmmittion  Giologiquo  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  At6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  I'exempiaire  film6.  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  bacic  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


6es 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimte  sent  filmis  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmto  en  comrnen^ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  emprein»e 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►  signif ie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


re 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  mey  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  ara  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  dtre 
f ilmis  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  documerv.  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cliche,  il  est  fiimd  d  partir 
de  I'angle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite. 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n6cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


i  errata 
d  to 

le  pelure, 

pon  h 


~n 


1 

2 

3 

a2x 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

I/:  > 


SMITHSONIAN  MISCELLANEOUS  COLLECTIONS. 
137 


CmCULAIl 


TO 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  HIDSON'S  BAY  COMPANY. 


The  Smithsonian  Institution  has  been  engaged  for  several  years 
in  the  prosecution  of  researclies  relative  to  the  climatology  and 
natural  history  of  the  continent  of  North  America.  For  this 
purpose  the  voluntary  services  of  a  large  body  of  intelligent 
correspondents,  distributed  throughout  the  entire  territory  of  the 
United  States,  have  been  secured,  from  vi^hom  records  of  changes 
of  the  weather,  and  other  phenomena,  with  facts  and  specimens 
in  natural  history  of  much  interest,  have  been  obtained. 

The  observations  thus  accumulated  have  been  reduced,  and  the 
results  will  shortly  be  published,  both  in  tabular  form  and  on 
maps,  illustrating  the  lines  of  equal  temperature:  of  rain  at  dif- 
ferent points :  the  mean  direction  and  intensity  of  the  wind :  the 
character  of  the  land,  whether  forest  or  prairie,  fertile  or  barren : 
the  distribution  of  various  animals  and  vegetables,  etc.  Reports 
have  been  issued,  or  are  in  preparation,  embodying  detailed 
monographic  descriptions  of  the  Algte,  the  forest  trees,  the  Verte- 
brata,  insects,  Mollusca,  Crustacea,  &c.,  of  the  continent ;  and 
efforts  made  generally  to  furnish  a  full  and  perfect  account  of  its 
natural  and  physical  history. 

In  the  prosecution  of  these  researches,  a  serious  obstacle  has 
been  experienced  in  the  lack  of  sufficient  data  from  the  region 
north  of  the  boundary  line  of  the  United  States,  especially  from 
its  more  northern  portion.  The  isolated  observations  and  collec- 
tions, which  have  from  time  to  time  been  received,  have  proved 
of  great  interest  and  impjrtance;  but  the  Institution  now  desires 
3 


m: 


m 


1/ '/ 


'f  J 


to  receive  communications,  if  possible,  from  all  inhabited  portions 
of  North  America,  especially  from  the  stations  of  the  Hon.  Hud- 
son's Bay  Company.  And  with  this  view  it  has  obtained  the 
sanction  of  the  proper  authorities  for  an  application  to  the  ofBoers 
of  the  Company  for  assistance,  as  shown  by  the  accompanying 
letter  of  Sir  George  Simpson,  Governor  of  the  H.  B.  Territory. 

The  attention  of  the  friends  of  science  is  therefore  respectfully 
Invited  to  certain  points,  which  will  be  referred  to  more  fully 
hereafter.  In  an  accompanying  package  will  be  found  detailed 
instructions  in  regard  to  making  and  recording  observations,  and 
it  is  only  necessary  here  to  indicate  a  few  subjects  which  are  of 
more  particular  interest. 

1st.  The  beginning  and  ending  cf  storms  of  wind  and  rain,  and 
the  time  when  the  sky  is  overcast.  Records  of  this  kind  enable 
ns  to  map  the  face  of  the  heavens  over  a  large  surface  of  country, 
and  to  determine  the  extent  of  a  cloud,  or  of  falling  rain,  snow,  &c. 

Beside  the  regular  variations  of  the  meteorological  instruments, 
special  information  is  desired  as  to  the  occurrence  of  thunder 
storms ;  the  time  of  day  at  which  they  take  place  ;  the  direction 
from  which  they  come ;  their  duration  and  intensity ;  notice  of 
trees  or  other  objects  which  may  be  struck  by  lightning. 

2d.  Tornadoes,  land  and  water-spouts,  and  whirlwinds.  The 
width  of  the  path  along  which  the  mechanical  effects  are  pro- 
duced ;  the  direction  of  the  path  ;  the  appearance  of  the  tornado 
at  a  distance ;  the  motion  of  the  clouds  over  the  head  of  the 
observer  as  the  tornado  approaches  and  as  it  recedes  from  him. 
Note  whether  any  electrical  phenomena  are  exhibited,  such  as 
thunder,  lightning,  and  luminous  appearances ;  the  mechanical 
effects,  prostration  of  trees,  and  translation  of  heavy  bodies. 

3d.  The  aurora  borealis :  time  of  its  beginning  and  ending ; 
time  of  the  formation  of  arch,  beams,  and  corona ;  and  whether 
there  is  a  dark  cloud  below  the  arch  ;  and  other  points  mentioned 
in  the  pamphlet  of  instructions. 

4th.  Time  of  early  and  late  frosts,  particularly  first  and  last. 
Depth  of  ground  frozen,  in  feet  and  inches ;  disappearance  of 
frost  from  the  ground. 

6th.  Time  of  closing  and  opening  of  rivers,  lakes,  streams,  &c., 
and  any  other  phenomena  relating  to  temperature. 

A  single  register  of  any  one  of  these  phenomena  carefully  made, 


8 


r     t 


may  prove  of  great  service  in  tracing  the  changes  of  weat.\er  over 
large  districts  of  country  ;  for  example,  a  Ivnowledge  of  the  exact 
time  at  which  a  violent  wind  commences  at  a  particular  place  mny 
enable  us,  with  similar  observations  at  other  localities,  to  trace 
the  progress  of  the  disturbance  through  its  whole  course  from  its 
beginning  to  its  ending. 

For  more  detailed  instructions  reference  should  be  made  to  the 
accompanying  blanks  and  pamphlets. 

Of  the  blank  registers  two  different  classes  are  sent.  Those 
marked  No.  1  are  intended  to  record  observations  with  all  the 
instruments,  with  spaces  to  include  the  reductions  for  "Force  of 
Vapor"  and  "  Relative  Humidity,"  which  need  not  be  fiiled  up 
unless  tiie  observer  himself  prefers  to  make  the  calculations,  which 
will  otherwise  be  made  at  the  Institution. 

Blanks  No.  2  are  intended  for  observers  who  have  no  instru- 
ments, excepting  a  thermometer;  and  if  this  instrument  be  broken, 
or  the  observer  have  none,  valuable  materials  may  still  be  furnished 
by  filling  up  the  other  columns,  and  simply  noting  the  beginning 
and  ending  of  warm  and  cold  spells. 

In  the  accompanying  package  will  also  be  found  blanks  for 
recording  periodical  phenomena  of  animal  and  vegetable  life. 
Such  records  will  be  of  especial  interest,  as  showing  the  progress 
and  development  of  the  seasons,  and  the  geographical  distribution 
of  species. 

In  the  package  will  also  be  found  detailed  instructions  in  regard 
to  the  collecting  and  preparing  objects  of  natural  history.  Speci- 
mens of  the  different  animals  will  be  particularly  interesting,  espe- 
cially of  the  small  mammals,  as  mice,  moles,  shrews,  gophers, 
weasels,  rabbits,  ground  squirrels,  marmots,  etc.  Good  skins  and 
skulls  of  the  barren  ground  bear,  the  musk  ox,  and  the  reindeer, 
are  much  wanted. 

Attent'on  is  especially  invited  to  the  collecting  of  eggs  of  any 
and  all  kinds  of  the  birds  which  may  be  met  with.  The  species 
of  most  interest  are  the  different  eagles,  hawks,  and  owls,  snipes, 
sandpipers,  plover,  gulls,  ducks,  loons,  grebes,  etc.  Care  should 
be  taken,  as  far  as  possible,  to  secure  a  parent  bird  of  each  set 
of  eggs,  for  the  purpose  of  identifying  the  species ;  either  the 
entire  skin  being  preserved,  or  at  least  the  head,  wing,  and  tail. 
If  a  parent  cannot  be  obtained,  the  eggs  should  nevertheless  be 


^:Mr' 


>m 


collected,  and  anj  information  communicated  which  may  serre  to 
determine  the  species. 

Sivins  of  any  divers  or  grebes  in  full  spring  plumage,  of  the 
large  black  grouse,  of  the  ptarmigan,  or  willow  grouse  (especially 
in  summer  dress),  of  the  different  kinds  of  Canada  or  black-necked 
geese,  and  of  any  waders  in  full  breeding  plumage,  and  in  fact  of 
Arctic  birds  generally,  will  be  very  acceptable. 

The  different  species  of  Salmonidse,  as  salmon,  trout,  whitefish, 
and  grayling,  are  particularly  desired  by  the  Institution.  In  the 
absence  of  alcohol,  these  may  be  skinned  and  dried.  Fishes  of 
all  kinds,  however,  will  be  much  valued. 

Insects  of  all  kinds  will  be  highly  prized,  and,  in  fact,  do  object 
of  natural  history,  however  abundant  and  familiar,  will  be  without 
its  interest  to  the  Institution. 

If  suitable  opportunities  occur  for  the  transmission  of  any  re- 
turns to  these  circulars,  either  of  specimens  or  of  observations, 
they  should  be  sent  directly  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C. ;  if  not,  they  should  be  forwarded  to  the  care  of  the 
Governor  of  the  Hon.  Hudson's  Bay  Company. 

JOSEPH  HENRY, 

Secretary  S,  I. 

Smithsonian  Institution,  Washington,  April  20, 1860. 


APPENDIX. 


Ti^ 


HcDsox's  Bay  IIocse,  Lachise,  31st  Marcli,  ISCO. 
To  the  Officers  of  the  Hudson'' s  Buy  Companifa  Service. 

Gentlemen  :  Having  been  applied  to  by  the  Secretary  of  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  of  Washington,  for  permission  to  invito 
the  assistance  of  the  Company's  ofiBcers  in  conducting  observa- 
tions, having  for  their  object  the  development  of  the  physical  and 
natural  history  of  the  northern  part  of  this  continent,  I  have  very 
cheerfully  acceded  to  the  request,  and  take  the  present  means  of 
commending  the  object  in  view  to  your  favorable  cc    '  'eration. 

You  are  well  aware  of  the  desire  of  the  Company  to  promote 
the  interests  of  science  by  all  the  legitimate  means  in  its  power. 
In  the  present  case,  where  so  much  may  be  done  by  systematic 
and  conjoined  action,  over  a  widely  extended  territory,  it  will  be 
gratifying  to  learn  that  information  and  materials  of  a  valuable 
character  have  been  supplied  from  the  stations  of  the  Company, 
and  by  the  industry  of  its  officers. 

The  accompanying  circular  and  instructions,  from  Professor 
Henry,  will  explain  more  fully  the  objects  of  the  Institution,  and 
will  be  found  to  embrace  all  necessary  information  for  your 
guidance. 

I  am,  gentlemen, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

G.  SIMPSOX. 


i    |;  , 


•i:     t 


if  i'  a 


p  Mj 


